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Research Article
An overview of cesarean sections in primigravid women at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital from 2022 to 2024
1 MBBS, Senior House Officer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, St. Michael, Barbados
2 MBBS, MRCOG, FACOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Maternal and Fetal Medicine Specialist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, St. Michael, Barbados
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Keturah Murray
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Martindales Road, St. Michael,
Barbados
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Article ID: 100045G06KM2026
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Murray K, Harewood K, Toppin K, Holder T, Robinson NT. An overview of cesarean sections in primigravid women at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital from 2022 to 2024. Edorium J Gynecol Obstet 2026;11(2):1–7.ABSTRACT
Aims: This retrospective cohort study evaluated cesarean section (CS) rates and indications among primigravid women at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) between August 2022 and August 2024. Singleton pregnancies beyond 28 weeks’ gestation were included. Of 1273 primigravid patients, 348 underwent CS, giving a rate of 27.3%. The leading indications were fetal distress (32.6%), failed induction or augmentation of labor (21.3%), and eclampsia/preeclampsia (7.8%). Most CS procedures were emergencies (90.8%), while 9.2% were elective. Most patients were aged 21–29 years and had full-term pregnancies. Continued audits are recommended to evaluate indications and reduce unnecessary CS deliveries. The aims of this study were to determine the rate and indications for cesarean section (CS) deliveries among primigravid women and to analyze trends in the indications for cesarean sections performed at the QEH.
Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of primigravida mothers who delivered via CS at the QEH between August 2022 and August 2024. The study population included singleton patients with neonates born at a gestation of greater than 28 weeks. All patient data was anonymized.
Results: There were a total of 1273 primigravid patients over the two year study period, of these 348 delivered via CS, a rate of 27.3%. The most common indication for CS was fetal distress (32.6%), followed by failed induction/failed augmentation of labor (21.3%), and eclampsia/preeclampsia (7.8%). The majority of CS were emergency (90.8%), the remaining 9.2% elective. There was a very high number of patients who booked their pregnancy (99%). Most patients were in the 21–29-year age category (49.1%) and had full-term pregnancies (44.3%).
Conclusion: In our institution, CS rates in primigravida women are high. Further audits should be undertaken to continuously evaluate the indications for CS with an overall aim to reduce the rates.
Keywords: Caribbean, Cesarean section, Primigravida, Trends
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Author Contributions
Keturah Murray - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Kevin Harewood - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Krista Toppin - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Tara Holder - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
NaTisha Robinson - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guaranter of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2026 Keturah Murray et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
